Schaumburg considers adding third lane to eastbound Algonquin Road

Schaumburg will host an informational open house next week on planned roadway improvements that could begin in 2019 around the intersection of Algonquin and Meacham roads.

Much of the proposed work involves the construction of a third eastbound lane on Algonquin Road from Communications Drive, on the former Motorola Solutions campus, to the West Frontage Road of Route 53.

Village Director of Transportation Karyn Robles expects most of the interest to come from surrounding businesses, but residents are just as welcome to attend, she said. The open house will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, next to village hall.

Robles said she hopes the open house format will make the presentation more accessible, as public input is sought on the project and its expected schedule.

The project also envisions intersection improvements at Algonquin and Meacham that include an additional eastbound right-turn lane and an additional northbound right-turn lane. Upgrades also are planned for the traffic signals on Algonquin Road at the intersections of both Meacham Road and Thoreau Drive.

"We think the businesses in the area will be excited about the improvements we're proposing," Robles said.

Schaumburg will be partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation on the project, she added.

While the project ideally might have been done some years ago, having it follow the improvements to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway ensured there were not two simultaneous construction projects snarling traffic in the area, Robles said. Work is hoped to be completed within one construction season, but could take a little longer, she said.

In addition to collecting public input at the open house, written comments on the project will be accepted through Dec. 7 at either the village's engineering and public works department or by mail to 714 Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg IL 60193.